The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-18


as she intlmated such thing, started to
your Office to demonstrate with you against
engaging in a duel. On my way down
town | came suddenly in contact with DR..
Evans and Mr.. Warde at the corner of
Fourth and Franklin. They We're convers-
ing very low and earnestly. These words,
however, fell upon my hearing as | passed
them:
1--we must keep the matter a profound
secret to avoid arrest
~ knew what they meant, and the re-
mainder of the way fairly ran. When
reached your office Uncle Jerry informed
me you had just gone out. As | reached
the pavement | saw you three blocks ahead,
and, determined to see you or die in the at
tempt, followed you out here"
She paused and gasped for breath.
'Paulie, you have needlessly fatigued
yourself. Allow me to fan you with my
hat
mo, thau1 you. All the hats and fans
in the world could not cool me now,n she re-
piled, dryly. ooh, Virgil, don't engage in
this duel Take Florine again to your
heart. She acted dlshonorabiy in flirting
with Marvin. But can you noG forgive her
for her past weaknessess She never tlirted
with you. She loves you dearly. Take her
back to your heart Win you not, Vir-
gilF'
"Never, Pauline" he answered, firmly,
yet in an ineffably sad voice. II can n,ver
trust her again. All, Pauline, if all women
were like you-pure and honorable--there
would be few duels fought"
And if all men had sense and discretion,
there would be no duels fought" quickly
replied the young lady. Virgil, you regard
me as you would a sister, do you not~
II do, Paulie AS you sit beside me now
you seem nearer to my heart than you ever
did before;" and he took her hand in his
H.. Al .l,.N = 10.
ture renders your character doubly pure
and bright. All, little sister, if all women
were like you: You are a good, true
woman. But, Pauline, why did you ask
that question just now9 Did you think
had suddenly lost faith in womankindl Did
you think me so narrow-minded as to judge
all your sex by your cousin"
If you look upon me as a sister, you will
heed what | say" she said, taking no no
tice of his queries. Reconsider this mat
ter and withdraw your acceptance of the
challenge"
Would you have me branded as a cow
ardp
"Who would brand you as such2 Only
tops and bullieS-the class of men you have
always denounced in the severest terms, aud
as to whose opinion you have hitherto been
utterly indifferent. All, Virgil, great
revolution has suddenly taken place in your
nature! You seem now to fear the censure
of these men more than that of Christian
men. If you will obey my wish, l assure
you that all undetermined, Christian people
will admire you for your manlineSs. Did
you not strike Marvin at the time for the
insult? How could they then call You
coward9 Why do you propose to resort
to the barbarous custom of dueling,
which generally results in the death Of ono
antagonist and in rendering the surviving
one a miserable, conscience-haunted man
for the remainder of his days. All, ii |
had been man, and Christian one too, |
would mapfully have returned the challenge
unopened
Didn't your father and mine fight duel
i'll their early manhoodp asked Virgil,
"Were they UPSTAIRS or DULLES! Weren't
they high-toned, honorable young men~
81 presume so. But they were not Chris
tians. Papa did not embrace Christianity
until | was 10 years old, and [ have heard
you say your father never became a Chris
tian. You see now, Virgil it is different
with you. You profess TO be a Christian,
and have been such ever since you were IA
years old, at which age you say you were
baptized and received into the fellowship of
the church. Oh. Virgil, how your poor
mothers heart would be wI-ung with anguish
now if she were livingi You loved her very
dearly, and her memory is very sacred to
you. You would like to meet her again.
The hope of reunion in heaven cheered
you when God took her from you, and
through the years that have passed since her
death this blessed hope has shown with I'M
diminished lustre. Ii you should be killed
in this duel in which you propose to engage,
do you think you would meet her again,
when you went upon the field of honor, as
it is called, with murder in your heart!
Doubtless were your mother living, her
tears and entreaties might dissuade you
from your mad purpose May ] not speak
for the dead? On, Virgil, Virgil-for the
sake of her who is no longer with her boy
to keep him from evil-for the sake of Mil
ton, your innocent, beautiful little brother,
who loves you so devotedly, and whom you
love with equal devotion-for the sake of
your little slster-for the sake of your many
friends, and, above all, for the sake of your
souls welfare, cancel your acceptance of
that challenge"
She paused, her cheeks flashed with ex-
element, her blue eyes filled with tears
There were also tears in the young lawyers
eyes. He took her hand again in his own
and said:
''Paulie, you have completely unnerved
me- Your eloquent pleading has moved me
deeply; but still, little sis er, l cannot act as
you wish me to do. | must meet Marvin on
the duellng field, and abide the result"
He uttered heavy groan as he ceased
SpcihiiiS.
Pauline withdrew her hand from his
clasp, and, with flashing eyes, said:
II might have known it was useless to
argue with one of your infeXible will |
might as well have attempted to persuade
the tombs about me to turn to snow. But
thought | might possibly prevail with you
to abandon your wicked purpose. AS | have
failed, however, in my mission. | will go
now"
She arose as she finished speaking
mo. Pauline, not until go Sit down a
moment, pleaseW
The unhappy face of the man she loved
touched her heart. She complied with his
request
'Oh, Virgil, my poor, misguided brother"
she cried, as her whole soul went out in ten
derness to the unhappy man My heart
bleeds for you, my poor, poor friend! If you
should kill Marvin | should never be happy
again; and if he should kill you"
She stopped suddenly, unable to finish the
sentence, and, puryins her face Ill her hands,
sobbed piteously.
And if should be killed. what then,
little sisterF inquired Virgil, with a sigh.
"Oh, don't talk of 1T" she answered.
"Come, let us go. The sun has Set"
The two arose. Virgil offered her his
arm, which she accepted, and for several
minutes they walked on in silence. At
length the young lady turned to her com
panion and asked:
"Does Milton know anything about this